“I think the tablet is a terrific device,” Walt Mossberg writes for Re/code. “I believe that tablets — and especially the iPad — are extremely versatile and productive tools for consumers, schools and businesses, and are better for many tasks than the PC or the smartphone. I use my iPad many times a day, and it has cut my use of my laptop by more than half. In a brief interview about tablets I had this week with Apple CEO Tim Cook, he said, “We couldn’t be happier with how we’ve done with the first four years of the iPad,” and added that, ‘I’d call what’s going on recently a speed bump, and I’ve seen that in every category.'”

“I can’t explain the recent sales plateau. Some speculate that tablet replacement cycles are closer to those of PCs than of smartphones,” Mossberg writes. “But what I can explain is the appeal and value of tablets, and especially the iPad, which has at least two big advantages over its rivals: Longer battery life (over 12 hours, in my tests) and a much greater selection of apps that have been optimized for tablet use — around 350,000, as of today. Whether I want to check business or personal email, respond to a message, browse the Web, check the news or watch a video, I find it quicker and more satisfying to do on a slender iPad Air than even on the best laptop on the market, the MacBook Air.”

I have replaced my laptop with the iPad Mini. When I need to do a lot of typing I just whip out the Wireless Apple Keyboard with the Orgami cover for putting words to Pages. Not to mention all the other Apps and productivity Apps. That is the power of the tablet… from class to lounge chair, from car to house, and from desk to back pocket, and pocket to backpack – for those hiking or photog moments.

Like most electronic devices the first few years are with early adapters, the iPad is only four years old. The next big step is business use, when the average person starts to see a lot people using them. This has just begun with IBM. In about three years most people will understand what a iPad can do and stop comparing them to PCs.

My sentiments exactly Walt. I use my iPad Air all day long. Mostly for keeping up with news while waiting for a compile-deploy cycle on my Mac mini. Or for the same thing to complete on my iMac (different project; multi-tasking at its best). I pull my phone out to make calls and text with people who aren’t part of the Apple fold. Gotta love Apple.

As much as I love the iPad (and the concept of tablets in general), there’s no hiding the fact that with iOS it’s just a glorified smartphone.

For actual work, its way too limited due to the app-centric software design. I’ve said this many times, but to work on projects which requires more than one app (that would be: all projects bar a few exceptions), you need a file system to organize the project the way YOU see fit.

When Apple figures out a way to achieves this while keeping security to a decent level, we’ll all be much happier.